Running legend honoured

More than 100 runners stepped out to take part in the annual Jack Holden Mile in Tipton.

The race at Victoria Park was organised by the Tipton Harriers and is held in the town every year to commemorate the legendary Tipton distance runner Jack Holden.

This year's winner of the 5km run was Tipton Harrier member Phil Nicholls who finished in just 14 minutes.

Andy Holden (no relation to Jack), chairman of Tipton Harriers said the event had been a success.

"We got a good response with 80 runners in the race," he said. "It was a good win for Phil, he has run for Tipton Harriers since he was about seven years old.

"It's our club's centenary in two years time so we would like to have a race in conjunction with that. I would like to expand it and maybe try and get local schools interested and involved."

Mr Holden was born in Bilston and raised in Tipton and set a new world record for the 30-mile run in 1953, when he was 46, completing the distance in just over three hours. He died in 2004, aged 96.

West Bromwich MP Adrian Bailey was also at the finishing line at yesterday's event to hand out certificates.